Unity Chr.
cheerleader's career goal has bite

Tuesday,
December 11, 2007

By Cris Greer

The Grand Rapids Press

Fear of the dentist is common, but
one Unity Christian athlete hopes to someday help ease the anxiety some
people feel.

Senior competitive cheerleader
Michelle VanDam has been training in the Dental
Careers program at Careerline
Tech Center
in Holland
for the past 1 1/2 years for more than two hours a day.

"I always knew I wanted to do
something with teeth, and I tried it and love it," said VanDam, who is studying to become a dental assistant.
"Whenever I talk to somebody, I notice their teeth first. I always
thought teeth were pretty cool.

"You kind of make a
difference by comforting patients. I like to comfort somebody if they're
upset and distract them."

Next spring, she will get to work in
a dental office. After that, VanDam will be nine
months away from a dental assisting degree, where she will do everything from
assisting with procedures to performing x-rays.

"I just love being around
people and talking to people," said VanDam,
who lives in the Walker/Standale area.

Entering her fourth year in
competitive cheer, VanDam talked about her team
goals.

"I just want to get first at
a couple of competitions and feel that team unity," said VanDam, who has been a sideline cheerleader for the football
team since her freshman year.

Though the Crusaders never have
made the state finals, first year coach Jeni Hansen
said she is leaning on VanDam for future success.

"Michelle is energetic and
very passionate about what she does," said Hansen, a West Ottawa and Hope College
graduate. "She is really a leader and pulls everyone together. I very
much appreciate her."

"I'm hoping for a very, very
good year."

VanDam, who with five teammates trains
once a week at Allendale
Gymnastics Center,
wasn't involved in cheerleading while growing up.

"Not at
all, I didn't think about it as a youngster," said VanDam,
who loves playing cards and boating. "I'd go to basketball games and
watch the cheerleaders there and always thought it was pretty sweet. I tried
out freshmen year with a friend and it was so much fun."

She said round three is her
favorite in competitive cheer.

"It's very impressive to do
it for the crowd. You get a lot of response from the crowd, watching people
fly through the air."

"I love the feeling of being
part of a team. It's such a great experience to learn how to work together
with everybody."

One of VanDam's
two brothers, Ricky, was a point guard at Calvin Christian. She also has one
older sister.

Competitive cheer

Coach: Jeni
Hansen, first year

Conference: O-K Green

2006-07: Third in conference,
fourth at regionals

Top returners: Seniors
Michelle VanDam, Carly
Barnes and Codi Newman

Outlook: The Crusaders are
aiming for their first appearance in the state finals.

Coach's comment:
"They're very motivated. I'm amazed at them and how well they're
doing. I'm hoping for a very, very good year."

Key date: Dec. 15 at Allegan